Historical Engine  Information

Brown Cochran Company

The Brown Cochran Company was located in Lorain Ohio. Brown Cochran was formed through a merger of the Brown Company in Columbus Ohio and the Cochran Company of Lorain in late 1901. The black and white photographs are copies of original photographs. These images were date 1905. In the second photograph the Johnson Steel Company can be seen in the background. The Johnson Steel Company bought out Brown Cochran about 1912. The B&W images were taken looking westward. The long side of the building showing the manufacturing signs and windows faced south onto 28th Street. Brown Cochran manufactured horizontal engines in sizes from 4 to 50 horsepower, all being of the sideshaft design. Brown Cochran also manufactured a vertical 3  horsepower engine. The company was deeply involved in the manufacture of refrigeration equipment for ice houses at this time as well. "Brown" engines were heavy, the 6 hp engine weighted over one ton and the 15 horse weighted in at 5000 pounds. They were well built with all engines designed with ported cylinders, hit miss flyball governoring, low tension igniter type ignition. The connecting rod was made with box wedge type bearing for taking up on wrist pin bearing wear. The carburetor was of the overflow design with one needle valve mounted on its top. The igniter was mounted into the face of the head. The igniter was tripped from the sideshaft. All lubrication was supplied to the bearings and cylinder from drip type oilers. The cylinder casting was made to bolt onto the base with three bolts being used for each side of the cylinder. Brown Cochran engines were identified from the factory with a brass tag mounted to the top of the cylinder. The color pictures posted here show the original Brown Cochran building as it appeared in 1995 just prior to being demolished. 

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This site was last modified on 11/29/2003